FREUDPsychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis inspired by the study of neurosis

Eventually adapted to become a method of mind investigation (unconscious mind) And more importantly, it’s effect on

behaviour Initially believed that all neurotic

symptoms are caused by sexual experiences, often early in childhood If you push the idea back, it festers, if

you deal with it immediately, you’ll be fine.

TodayThe basic tenets of psychoanalysis include the following:1. human behavior, experience and cognition are largely

determined by innate and irrational drives;2. those drives are largely unconscious;3. attempts to bring those drives into awareness meet

psychological resistance in the form of defence mechanisms;4. beside the inherited constitution of personality, one's

development is determined by events in early childhood;5. conflicts between conscious view of reality and unconscious

(repressed) material can result in mental disturbances such as neurosis, neurotic traits, anxiety, depression etc.;

6. the liberation from the effects of the unconscious material is achieved through bringing this material into the consciousness (via e.g. skilled guidance).

Jean-Martin Charcot 1825-1893 Considered to be "the founder of modern

neurology” (aka disorders of the nervous system)

Landmark understandings of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s Disease.

Freud = the founder of psychoanalysis. the goal of Freudian therapy, or

psychoanalysis, was to bring repressed thoughts and feelings into consciousness in order to free the patient from suffering repetitive distorted emotions.

Hypnosis & Hysteria Outside of neurology, Charcot is best

known for his work with using hypnosis in an attempt to cure hysteria.

Practice used by his student, Sigmund Freud.

“Freudian couch”

Problem with Hypnosis Though effective at first, Freud began to

doubt the true validity of hypnosis “suggestion” or the act of focusing the

conscious mind of the subject upon a single dominant idea

Believe that the individuals thoughts could be manipulated by the analyst.

Also, some believed that you never actually communicate with the unconscious mind, most likely just the conscious or perhaps the subconscious.

Anna O Initially a patient of

Josef Breuer, in collaboration with Freud

severe cough, paralysis of the extremities on the right side of her body, and disturbances of vision, hearing, and speech, as well as hallucination and loss of consciousness.

“talking cure” Initially used hypnosis with Anna O, but

eventually transitioned to Free Association (aka the “talking cure”) Would have the patient talk about whatever

came to mind, without any influence and no censorship

'The importance of free association is that the patients spoke for themselves, rather than repeating the ideas of the analyst; they work through their own material, rather than parroting another's suggestions'

Example Came up with the word “concierge” Eventually, words “nightgown”, “town”

and “farm cart” Eventually able to recall a repressed

incident when she was very young, her sister had a nervous breakdown one night. She was sent away by a concierge in a farm cart to the asylum.

Also learned that both were abused as kids.

Example on p. 77

Transference Anna’s case also shed light for the first

time on the phenomenon called transference where the patient's feelings toward a

significant figure in his/her life are redirected onto the therapist.

often manifested as an erotic attraction towards a therapist, but can be seen in many other forms such as rage, hatred, mistrust, etc.

*initially thought to be a “road block”, Freud learned that the analysis of the transference was actually the work that needed to be done (explore the meaning)

Examples You meet someone at a party who reminds you

of a favorite aunt and you find yourself feeling warmly towards this new acquaintance.

A client who fears disapproval and rejection notices that they suddenly find themselves worried about judgment or criticism from their therapist when they start to talk about a certain topic or feel a particular feeling.

A perpetually single client prone to distrusting people may begin to view the therapist with suspicion as their relationship deepens.

A client who struggles with anger and hostility may find themselves similarly struggling with anger and hostility toward the therapist.

Conclusion Freudian psychoanalysis refers to a

specific type of treatment in which the patient verbalizes thoughts, including free associations, fantasies, and dreams, from which the analyst induces the unconscious conflicts causing the patient's symptoms and character problems, and interprets them for the patient to create insight for resolution of the problems.